Cruise ship crashes into bridge in Germany, killing two crew

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An investigation is underway to find out why a Viking Cruises river ship crashed into a bridge in Germany.

The accident, on the Viking Freya, occurred in darkness on Sunday morning, on the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. Two Hungarian crew who were in the wheelhouse at the time of the collision, were killed.

The company has launched an enquiry to find out what happenedCredit:
Reuters

Freya, one of Viking's fleet of Longships, was built with a retractable wheelhouse to allow it to sail under low bridges.

Apparently the wheelhouse was not retracted at the time of the incident.

“Freya’s wheelhouse collided with the bridge in Erlangen. Two crew members of the ship were in the wheelhouse and died as a result of injuries sustained during the collision,” said a statement from Viking Cruises.

It went on to say “We are heartbroken.”

Rhine-Main-Danube Canal was closed yesterday but has now re-opened. Bridge not picturedCredit:
Alamy

The company has launched an enquiry to find out what happened and is working with authorities at the scene.

The ship's 181 passengers were transported to local hotels and no other crew members or passengers were injured.

The ship's 181 passengers were transported to local hotels Credit:
AP

Freya had embarked on a sailing the previous day and will now be moved for repairs. Passengers were given the option to continue cruising on a modified itinerary, embarking on the Bestla in Passau, or to return home.

The Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, which runs between the German towns of Bamburg and Kelheim transports thousands of river-cruise passengers annually between the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, was closed yesterday but has now re-opened.